Design, Printing and Marketing News, Tips and Tricks

Foil Printing

If your recent print advertisements, flyers, postcards, business cards, or other printed works seem to “lack luster” recently, you may consider trying an innovative and attractive new printing style to amp up the appeal of your marketing campaigns. Foil printing is a technique that brings the flash of precious metals to your printed materials, without your having to dish out a lot of your hard-earned coin to get the job done.

It may not come as a surprise that foil printing techniques utilize, yes, foil, in adding some tasteful bling to your printed works. Rather than use metallic inks, which are expensive, caustic and harmful to the environment, and lack durability, many internet printing companies are now offering foil-stamping as an alternative option. Foil stamping gives the same lustrous finish as metallic inks would, but because of the smart and efficient method behind the modernized procedure, the technique is extremely affordable and results in a finish that lasts and lasts. As an added bonus, because it avoids the chemicals involved in metallic ink printing, the process is much easier on the environment. In other words, foil printing with the stamping method allows users to save green and go green at the same time.

Some printing companies offer not only foil-stamping, but also full-color foil printing in their lineup of print services. There is a difference between the two processes. For the user, the main difference is that one process will result in printed materials that are embossed with gold or silver text, images, patterns, or accents, while the other can print these same adornments in full-color metallics. Choosing between foil stamping and full-color foil printing is really a matter of preference and deciding which will best accent one’s print projects, as for most printers, the cost of these two printing styles is nearly the same. (Full-color foil printing is just slightly more expensive.)

Foil stamping simply takes a piece of foil, which has been die-cut to the exact shape of the designer’s plan, and adheres it to the already-printed flyer, postcard, business card, or other printed product, using heat, pressure, or a combination of both. Some people prefer to leave a matte finish on their foil-stamped works, while others like to “seal the deal” with a slightly shiny UV finish. The benefits of UV coating include a polished look and a slightly more durable product. Of course, whether it will help you get the look you’re trying to achieve with your printing project must really be the deciding factor on whether it’s best to add UV coating or not.

Full-color foil printing is another new, affordable, and eye-catching process that some versatile printing companies are now offering. Again, the effect of this process is largely the same as the effect achieved though foil stamping: it gives your printed works the polished-looking shine of bold metallics, adding a touch of class and style. The added benefit of full-color foil printing is that it brings to the metallic finish a colorful swirl of whatever hues the user desires. The way this is done is both simple and clever. The printer begins with a piece of foil, die-cut to meet the needs of the design. To this, high-quality inks are added, illuminating the foil with bright and vibrant tones. Virtually any color can be used with full-color foil printing, making this foil printing technique the go-to process for those who are looking for a brilliant, colorful, and shiny effect.

Foil printing is one of the most unique premium printing methods on the market today, and because of efficient gang-run printing techniques and the sheer volume a top-of-the-line internet-based printer does on a weekly basis, business cards, flyers, postcards, and more can be printed in these styles for a very reasonable price. If you’re looking to set your marketing materials apart from the rest with style, class, and a bit of flash, these are the methods to incorporate in your next printing project.

Jennifer has been apart of the EliteFlyers.com team for over 10 years. Her personal portfolio includes high-end design and/or printing of business cards, flyers, post cards and more for businesses and individuals from all over the world.

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